Effect of Incense Ash on the Engineering Properties of Cement-Based Composite Material

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of substituting cement with incense ash on material properties and hydration of cement-based composite materials. Test specimens with incense ash replacing up to 30% (volume) of cement were produced and cured at 25 °C and 75 °C for up to 120 days. The researchers of this study observed the effect on setting time, heat conduction, compressive strength, and water absorption, and conducted a microanalysis to observe the structural change of hydration products. The results indicated that by substituting cement with incense ash, the hydration reaction was hastened, and the setting time shortened. When 5% of cement was replaced, incense ash had the effect of filling the voids between particles. At a higher curing temperature, the frequency of particle collisions increased, expediting the hydration reaction and improving the strength of the specimens. At a longer curing time, voids in the specimens were gradually filled by colloids, and pozzolanic reaction caused the amount of Ca(OH)2 to diminish and C–S–H gel to increase, which in turn improved the structural cohesion, reduced the water absorption, and increased the strength and thermal conductivity of the specimens.

Keywords

• incense ash
• cement-based composite material
• engineering properties
• compressive strength